Platform supported mariculture system

A method of open water mariculture for raising a marine species in a body of water having a seabed, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a facility comprising:
• a central support platform resting upon the seabed, said platform further comprising an upper level deck above the high water mark of the open water, said central support platform having first and second sides;
• first and second arrays of elongated cages laterally emanating from said first and second sides of said central support platform, each of said cages having first, inner and second, outer ends, and side walls therebetween forming a containment area having inner side walls, said containment area situated underwater, and containing said marine species, said first, inner ends of said cages situated near said central support platform, each of said ends of said cages having ballast tanks for independently lowering each of said cages under the water or raising said cages about halfway out of the water independent of one another, and rotating means for independently rotating each of said cages as desired;
• a service pipe situated along the longitudinal axis of each of said elongated cages forming said first and second cage arrays, said service pipe affixed to said first and second ends of said cages, said service pipe having first and second ends and first and second sides, said first and second ends having affixed thereto anchor lines for anchoring said cages in place;
• a net affixed to said first side of said service pipe, said net running about the Length of said service pipe;
• b. selecting a cage having marine species therein to be harvested;
• c. applying pressurized air to said ballast tanks of said cage to be harvested, providing buoyancy to said cage and lifting said cage about halfway out of the water;
• d. taking said net affixed to said first side of said service pipe, and affixing it to one of said inner side walls of said cage opposite said first side of said service pipe, so that said net runs from said first side of said service pipe to said inner side wall opposite said first side of said service pipe;
• e. rotating said cage 180 degrees, such that said net passes through the water, lifting said marine species from the water, and supported by said net;
• and
• f. removing said marine species from said net.